If you have not updated your resume recently you could be jeopardizing your career.
Most of us don’t think about our resume unless we are actively looking for work. That can be a big mistake. Having a current and up to date record of your career achievements allows you to respond almost instantly to a request for information, or an unexpected layoff. Even if you are not looking to change employers your resume can help you advance your career. Many times, new positions or promotion opportunities within your current company require a resume to start the process. Good opportunities don’t last long and if you take a week to update your ten year old resume you might just lose out to the less experienced person who has a well written and up to date resume they can provide the same day.
Take some time to review and update your resume. Doing this on a regular basis might just be the difference between getting your dream job or staying in that cramped cubicle. If you need some help or want tips on how to write a good resume take a look at this site.
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
Those 19 words sum up exactly the result I am aiming for personally. My hope is that this blog helps you achieve it in your life as well. Our 16th President had his priorities in order when he said those words more than 140 years ago. Maybe it was his modest upbringing but I think It was a reflection of his philosophy on life in general.
What Was He Saying
Even though the world has changed dramatically since then, the struggle to make the most out of life still exists. All of us only have a limited time on this earth, we might as well make the most of it. My guess is that not many of us would say on our deathbed, “gee, I wish I had spent more time at work” (unless your work is truly satisfying). Yet that is exactly what we do. We do whatever it takes to advance our careers while ignoring ultimately more important things like our health, our families, our friends, and our personal happiness. The end result is that we end up hurting everything, including our careers.
Some Easy Ways To Start
How are you supposed to add “life to your years” when you are too busy already? Here are a few easy and painless suggestions to jump-start the process.
- Break Out Of Your Old Habits
Do you do the same things day after day, week after week? Maybe you eat at the same restaurants, or go to the same type of concert. Well, next time shake things up! Try a different cuisine or attend a concert with friends that is a different style of music than you are used to. Start with small things that are easy to do and don’t require a lot of effort. The point is to start doing things a little differently than before. In the process you might discover a new interest, meet some new friends, or gain a new perspective on the world.
- Watch One Hour Less Of Television Each Day
Most people spend an average of four hours a day watching TV. If you were to watch just 1 hour less of TV each day think about all of the things you could do to enrich your life. For example:
- you could start a new business part time
- you could start exercising and lose those 10 pounds you’ve always wanted to lose
- you could spend more time with your children
- you could start learning a new skill to help you expand or change careers
- Sit down to dinner with your family
As much as you can, have a sit-down dinner with your spouse/family instead of eating on the go or sitting around watching TV while you eat. Turn off the television or radio and spend some time just talking about things that are going on. You don’t need to fix a gourmet meal, take out is fine. The goal is to spend a few minutes each day communicating with each other in a relaxed environment.
Start Out Small
Starting out with these few suggestions is a relatively painless way to expand your horizons and learn more about yourself and your family. Once you get in the habit of doing things a little differently and experience the positive results of that, you will be more likely to take the larger steps necessary in order to make significant positive changes in your life.